Фото: пресс-служба Лукашенко
Alyaksandr Lukashenka said he wants cooperation with Kenya to be fast-moving and, in scale, comparable to Belarus’s partnerships with Zimbabwe and several other African states. He made the remarks during a meeting with the Speaker of the Kenyan Senate, Amason Jeffah Kingi.
“It is good that you have come. People’s diplomacy at the highest level is always important,” Lukashenka noted.
He recalled his brief visit to Kenya in December 2023, when he met President William Ruto.
“I remember my visit to Kenya very well. Please convey my warmest wishes to the president. He struck me as a very kind and decent person. It was a short visit, but I remember even the details,” he said.
Lukashenka suggested the two countries act energetically and finalise a cooperation roadmap, whose draft Nairobi already has.
“We must build an action plan based on this roadmap — update it to reflect the needs of both states. When there is a plan and responsible people for each area, the results will follow. We are very interested in cooperation with your country. We already have experience. I think that with Kenya, given the good examples, we will work as quickly and efficiently as we do with Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, and others. We are open to your country,” he said.
He described Kenya as a gateway to East Africa.
“This is a kind of outpost for any country entering the African continent,” he stated.
Lukashenka proposed focusing cooperation on agriculture.
“We have the capabilities and relevant technologies to move forward. We are ready to help you develop new agricultural sectors — with specialists and with equipment. It is important that you take your time and assess our potential,” he said.
Speaker Kingi expressed gratitude for the reception in Minsk: “The people of Belarus are very friendly. The weather, unfortunately, is not.”
“Well, it is good for you — for a change,” Lukashenka replied, noting that during a recent trip to the south he missed Belarusian weather: “It was very sunny there, and we missed this climate.”
According to Lukashenka’s press service, bilateral trade in recent years has ranged between USD 7.2 million and 13.6 million, compared with USD 40.6 million in 2020. Last year turnover rose 40% to USD 13.6 million, and the same level was recorded in the first ten months of this year.
Belarus imports far more from Kenya than it exports. Kenyan supplies include cut flowers, fruit and seeds for sowing. Belarusian exports to Kenya include cereal grains, liquid-crystal devices and lasers.